Marshall Griffin

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Jefferson City, MO – The state of Missouri has borrowed $150 million from its budget reserve fund, as state revenue collections continue to decline.

The latest dip into the fund brings the total borrowed this fiscal year to $350 million. State Budget Director Linda Luebbering says the $150 million borrowed this week will cover several current expenses.

Jefferson City, MO – The chair of the state Senate Appropriations committee is calling on Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to consider providing more money for the Career Ladder program this year when new revenue estimates come in.

Jefferson City, MO – A transcript released Tuesday (October 6, 2009) quotes Missouri's Natural Resources chief as saying there was no health risk over the delay in releasing an E-coli report from the Lake of the Ozarks earlier this year.

According to the transcript, DNR Director Mark Templeton said that delaying the release of the report for a month did not pose a public health risk because bacteria die in lake water after about four days. Templeton added that he didn't learn about the results until eight days after the E-coli samples were taken.

Kansas City, MO – About 50 residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities gathered in Jefferson City Monday to kick off a statewide tour designed to recognize their rights and needs.

The tour will highlight rights possessed by long-term care residents, which include having a say in their treatment and filing complaints without fear of retaliation. State Health and Senior Services Director Margaret Donnelly says these rights are already embedded into state law.

Motorcycle riders in Missouri still have to wear helmets. A bill that would have allowed them to ride helmet-free if they're at least 21 years old has been vetoed by Governor Jay Nixon. The bill would have still required helmet use on interstate highways. Tom Holloway with the Missouri State Medical Association says he applauds the governor's veto.

Jefferson City, MO – Governor Jay Nixon and the Republican-led general assembly pledged late last year to work together during the 2009 legislative session, which ended on Friday. Both sides came away with wins, especially when their interests coincided, as with the economic development bill. But both entities lost on some key issues as well. KWMU's Marshall Griffin reports.

Jefferson City, MO – State lawmakers have until Friday to reach a compromise on healthcare expansion, after the Missouri House passed its plan last night.

The House bill covers about 20-thousand Missourians who simply cannot get insurance. The Senate's version, which closely mirrors the plan proposed by Governor Jay Nixon, expands Medicaid eligibility to cover an additional 35-thousand low-income, working parents.

Columbia Democrat Mary Still says the House's version will drain the state's high-risk insurance pool.

Jefferson City, MO – House Republicans are unhappy with the final version of Missouri's state budget. Senate negotiators and House Democrats agreed to include an expansion of Medicaid in one of the budget bills. It would expand health coverage to about 35-thousand working parents in Missouri. But House Majority Floor Leader Steven Tilley says they may reject the provision.